Cognitive Science is a pioneering interdisciplinary field which studies the nature of intelligent systems, both biological and artificial. Drawing from the fields of computer science, linguistics, philosophy, neuroscience, and psychology, with strong links to anthropology, education, physics, and engineering, this field of inquiry focuses on topics extending from accounts of human language and childhood mental development, to theories about how neurons in the brain process information; from attempts to model human thought in computer programs and to engineer robotic 'creatures' that live and learn, to studies of human vision and other forms of perception.
The minor in Cognitive Science at ISU is designed to enhance your program of study in Cognitive Science-related fields by allowing you to create the best minor for your individual needs. Study in Cognitive Science will strengthen your resume and help prepare you for graduate work in biology, computer science, philosophy, psychology, and other related disciplines. It is also good preparation for certain jobs in the industry, as Cognitive Science is at the forefront of much of the latest research and technology in artificial intelligence, computational applications, and knowledge representations.
—A minimum of 24 hours required for the minor, depending on the emphasis chosen and the level of preparation of student. Programs must be planned in consultation with an advisor. Students are required to seek an advisor through the Director of Cognitive Science Studies.
—Required courses: One course is required of all students, IDS 265: Introduction to Cognitive Science: Computers, Minds, Brains, and Robots. Other requirements will be met by developing a planned course of study approved by a Cognitive Science Studies advisor. In consultation with the advisor, the student will choose an emphasis that is outside the student’s major and will fulfill the requirements of that emphasis.
In order to take this minor, you will need to work closely with an advisor for Cognitive Science Studies to design a program which complements your major and special interests.
The object of this minor is to give you cross-disciplinary input into your studies. Therefore, the area of emphasis that you choose to concentrate on must be outside of your major.
For example, Information Technology majors may not choose the "computer science" emphasis; Psychology majors may not choose the "psychology" emphasis. The areas of emphasis now available are the following:
Lana Kuhle
Philosophy Department
323H Stevenson Hall
Phone: (309) 438-7094
Email:
cogsci@ilstu.edu
Biological Sciences (BSC)
Psychology (PSY)
Byron A. Heidenreich
452 DeGarmo Hall
Phone: (309) 438-7106
Email:
baheide@ilstu.edu
Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD)
Heidi Verticchio
217D Fairchild Hall
Phone: (309) 438-3266
Email:
hrfritz@ilstu.edu
English (ENG)
K. Aaron Smith
423A Stevenson Hall
Phone: (309) 438-2992
Email:
kasmit3@ilstu.edu
Information Technology (IT)
Mary Elaine Califf
106 Old Union Bldg.
Phone: (309) 438-5203
Email:
mecalif@ilstu.edu
Languages, Literatures and Cultures (Linguistics) (LAN)
Benjamin Schmeiser
241 Stevenson Hall
Phone: (309) 438-7703
Email:
schmeis@ilstu.edu
Mathematics (MAT)
Sunil Chebolu
303B Stevenson Hall
Phone: (309) 438-3893
Email:
schebol@ilstu.edu
Philosophy (PHI)
Lana Kuhle
323H Stevenson Hall
Phone: (309) 438-7094
Email:
cogsci@ilstu.edu
Sociology/Anthropology (ANT/SOC)
James M. Stanlaw
354 Schroeder Hall
Phone: (309) 438-7690
Email:
stanlaw@ilstu.edu